Former Somerset man claims rebellious streak caused him to molest children

Hinton sexually assaulted children under the age of 7

June 14, 2012|JUDY D.J. ELLICH | DAILY AMERICAN REPORTER

SOMERSET COUNTY- — John Wayne Hinton claimed his lifelong rebellion against authority was why he was awaiting sentencing Thursday for sexually assaulting four children under the age of 7, the youngest being 4.

"The tentacles of this type of thinking wrapped itself around my heart," he told the court, saying he is regretful and remorseful for his actions.

The 62-year-old former Somerset resident pleaded with the court for leniency. He asked that he be sentenced to a third of the time behind bars that the probation department had recommended.

"All we hear is I, I, I. He can say he is sorry, but this case involves four young victims," Assistant District Attorney Catherine Primavera said. "He admitted to a lifetime of (similar) actions that started at 13. Ten years is not enough."

Hinton's attorney, William Seger, said at Hinton's age the probation department's recommendation would essentially mean a life sentence. Hinton said with a longer sentence he would not have the opportunity to make amends.

President Judge John M. Cascio sat patiently through Hinton's long and articulately spoken statement and then sentenced him to the recommended 30 to 60 years in state prison for three felony counts of aggravated indecent assault.

Cascio told Hinton that he never took an opportunity and made a commitment to seek counseling and treatment for an issue that had plagued a significant part of his life. Then the judge explained his reasoning for the sentence.

"The nature of the crimes, the number of victims and the circumstances that led you to those victims," he said. "The children were put in your trust and put in your care through your befriending the families at church. You violated that trust in the most severe way."

On Aug. 2 two individuals reported to Somerset Borough police Officer Ruth Beckner that they had been sexually assaulted by Hinton. During the subsequent investigation, Hinton provided statements on Aug. 8, 12 and 30 that he committed sexual offenses against the children in May, September and December 2010 and in June and July 2011, according to Beckner in court documents.

He said he took nude photographs of the girls. An electronic analysis of camera cards from Hinton revealed numerous digital photos of children's private parts and full nude photos of children, according to the affidavit.